Humility In Ministry
Philippians 4:17 "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that is increasing to YOUR account."
Paul had a perspective in ministry that I is hard for me to relate to; I can honestly say I've always thought of making disciples as a process where I help others succeed as Christians and prepare them for the life to come, so that I can store up treasures for myself in Heaven. In my obedience to Christ’s call on my life to make disciples, I am storing up a rich inheritance for eternity to come. I guess I think of it like a savings account – as I act in faith and obedience, I am adding to my eternal bank account. I don’t think that’s a completely unbiblical line of thought, as we are commanded by Jesus to store up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21); however, that’s not the whole picture, and not the entire heart of God.
Although Paul was certainly motivated by “treasures in Heaven” (2 Timothy 4:8), there was something different about the way he viewed ministry. Though he was motivated by Heaven, his goal was to make OTHERS GREAT IN HEAVEN, not just successful as Christians here on earth. Paul looked at discipling as not only preparing people for the next life, but also as making THEM great in the life to come! He was concerned about THEIR treasure in Heaven more than his own!
I can't honestly say I've ever had that perspective; not even close. That's just crazy to me. It requires impossible humility, and a totally different perspective than I am used to. It changes the way I pray, the way I do ministry, the way I view people; it changes everything. Paul desired for the people that he served and loved to be greater than him for ALL ETERNITY. He was letting God know "reward these people!! Make THEM great in Heaven!! Count THEM as great!!" And so often, even in my most selfless serving and sacrificial loving, I want people to succeed here so that I'll be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
